On this morning’s Today programme Jack Straw confirmed that he has still not met with the family of James Bulger – why not? That he didn’t say – he “might” give the nation  – ie the tabloid press – “more details” concerning the arrest and recall to prison of the prisoner formerly known as Jon Venables, later today. Where is the leadership in that? Last week home secretary and former postman Alan Johnson said, “the public has a right to know” the reasons for JV’s recall – until he was slapped down by Straw and closed his mouth on the subject. Johnson has been such a disappointment as home sec – his humble beginnings should have made him a perfect “man of the people,” able to act for the community as a whole – not just sections that he thinks might give him the hardest time. But it is Jack Straw who is at fault here. Last year he slated prison reform charities for their “platitudes” about prisoners. “It’s the victim we should be more concerned about,” he said. The Venables/Bulger tragedy needed immediate and firm leadership. Venables is currently facing no charges, according to Straw. As far as I can see it is Jack Straw who should be in the dock for failing us in one of the most crucial tests of justice in modern times.